Skip to main content

Made by a Fabricista: A Dress Length Coat in Plum Wool


Hello everyone!  Fall is my favorite time of year, and every year, I can't wait to make a new coat.  There are really only so many styles of winter coats available in the stores to choose from, so making your own gives you the opportunity to find that special style or color that really fits you.

Last February, I made some mauve colored dresses, and I realized that I had no coats that looked nice over them.  So, I was on the hunt for something in the purple/brown colorway, and as usual, FabricMart had the perfect fabric- a wool tweed that was a mix of plum and black with some orange flecks. If you think that you are seeing some purple in my hair, don't adjust your monitor- I have dyed my hair lavender!  So, this fabric also complements my new hair color.



I wanted a style that is easy to close.  I hate messing around with buttons and zippers, but I also don't like a constricting belt around my tummy.  I found McCalls 7485, which is a Khaliah Ali design that had an interesting closure in View C- two ties that are threaded through a buckle just under the bustline.  I also really liked the uneven hemline.  This poor pattern has been really underlooked- I couldn't find even one other review of it online, and even on the McCall's website, it's not listed in the coat category! 


But then I found out that it didn't come in my regular size- only in the women's size range 18-24.  I don't know why they didn't print this in all sizes, but I always have to spend time doing alterations, and this just involved doing some different alterations.  Instead of a full bust adjustment, I did a small neck and shoulder adjustment.  Even with the larger size, I still found the bicep measurement to be extremely small, and needed to do a full bicep adjustment.  And I added length all around since I"m taller than average.



Here you can see the back hemline mirrors the front.  It lets my dress just peak out from the bottom.



I had found this beautiful Liberty of London Wool gauze scarf at an estate sale, and it goes perfectly with it.  I have always heard of the outstanding quality of Liberty of London, and will absolutely confirm that.  If it didn't have the fabric composition tag, you wouldn't even know that this is wool- it is so light and silky.


Speaking of silky, let me tell you about the lining.  It is a stretch satin in a pale mauve shade.  The sun is kind of washing it out in the photo, but it's a nice complement to the tweed.



I wasn't really sure how to attach the buckle, as that wasn't covered in the instructions.  It specified a 2" buckle, and I found one that was made of coconut shell at Hobby Lobby.  I used a piece of black fold over elastic and sewed it into the seam where the front facing meets the body of the coat.  It worked well, and gives the buckle a little space to move if needed.


I've actually got many dresses that this coat will work with- burgundy, black, orange and pink are all possibilities.


If you are in the market for a new coat, consider making one.It's a big project, but packs a punch in terms of being able to wear it everyday!  FabricMart has some awesome coating selections right now here. I've already picked out my next coat fabric and will be back next year to share it with you!

Happy Sewing!

Ann


Comments

  1. Very Pretty! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. It looks great on you. I love your attention to detail that elevates it to couture level. Did you interline it with something for extra warmth?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Karen! No, I thought about interlining, but this was a pretty tightly woven wool, and I decided that it by itself would be warm enough.

      Delete
  3. Lovely coat. Your hair color is great too!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ann, this is a beautiful coat! You look awesome in it!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Absolutely stunning... I love sewing fall and winter clothes too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Patricia! Especially sewing with wool- there is just something relaxing about steaming wool!

      Delete

Post a Comment

Thanks for leaving a comment! All comments are reviewed before posting to help us eliminate spam. Your comment will be posted within 24 hours.

Popular Posts You Might Like

Made by a Fabricista: Milo + Citrine

Hello sewing friends! It’s Andrea - @happy.things.here on IG and today I’m on the blog to share some sew inspo on one of my favorite kinds of garments to make – cardigans! I absolutely love making them and wearing them year-round, whether it’s an extra layer for around my house in the winter, as my outermost layer in Spring and Fall, or paired with a dress on a cooler summer evening. I love love love cardigans! And there are so many great cardigan patterns out there – chances are that each of your favorite pattern companies offers multiple cardigan patterns. Button-less cardigans are great beginner patterns, and a handmade cardigan is a lovely personalized gift since it’s more forgiving for fit and you don’t have to know someone’s exact measurements to make one. And you can make them in all sorts of knit fabrics too.  Today I chose two cardigan patterns to share with you that I think bring a little something extra to the table. They are the Seamwork Milo and the Made by Rae Citrine.

Week 4: Jeansmaking- What They Made

This is it, the final round! And we certainly did not go easy on our three remaining contestants this time. This round they had to make their own pair of well fitting jeans. I think they all did an absolutely outstanding job! Take a look what these ladies accomplished & be sure to vote for your favorite! (Link at bottom of post.) And, don't forget to show us your me-made jeans on Facebook or Instagram. Details at the bottom of this post. Danesha from  Classyfied Life So first I must say that this entire challenge has been just that...a challenge! Two weeks ago there was hurricane Irma and I was blessed enough to not lose power and then I went out into the aftermath to capture some photos of my submission. Then two weeks ago I had a big trip planned so I had to do EVERYTHING  in two days . Then the BIGGEST challenge of all...THIS week! I got the challenge and I was super excited to have an extra few days and then before I could even get started I ended up in the eme

Made by a Fabricista: Revving up your style in the Dana Marie Moto Jacket

Hey friends - I am so excited to have been invited to participate as a Fabric Mart Fabricista this month!  This year is the year I challenge my sewing skills.   I have wanted a moto jacket for some time.  Not just any moto jacket but one that has a classic and timeless style. I saw the Dana Marie Moto Jacket pattern on the Fabric Mart website and knew that was the one.  The fabric I used was a beautiful porcelain white/black/silver 100% polyester plaid weave boucle suiting.    Remember when I said I wanted to challenge my sewing skills?  😉 This fabric was beautiful but fragile to work with.  It was a great mental challenge that had me problem solving before sewing to avoid any potential problems.  I first traced out the pattern onto tissue paper to determine the fit.   I used scrap cotton fabric to sew up a “practice run” of the jacket.    I was pleasantly surprised at how easily the jacket comes together.   I sewed up the muslin in one evening.  It was time to cut into the beautifu